Pasadena voters approve Measure PL for retrofitting Central Library

Over 72% of Pasadena voters approved funding for earthquake retrofit work on the Central Library, city officials announced Thursday.

Measure PL’s funding is key to the city’s plan to reopen the historic library with planned improvements that aim to preserve the historic elements and while modernizing the building “to serve the community for the next century and beyond,” officials said.

The enacted measure clears the way for $195 million in general obligation bonds that would cost an estimated $12 million annually, according to the city. That “equates to an average of $19.61 ranging from $12.58 to $28.90 over the years per $100,000 of the assessed valuation of a parcel over the 30-year term of the bond.”

“Pasadena’s Central Library is a landmark and a lifeline for our community, offering educational, cultural, and historical value,” Mayor Victor Gordo said in a statement. “With Measure PL, we’re investing in its future and ensuring it remains a safe and welcoming place for generations to come. The voters’ overwhelming support for this measure is a powerful reflection of the community’s commitment to preserving and strengthening our libraries, which play an essential role in fostering learning, connection, and opportunity for all.”

The voter-approved funding keeps the project’s timeline for reopening the Central Library on track, officials said. Bidding, construction documents and a decision on the contract award was expected to complete by summer 2025. Construction was projected to start following contract award with a duration of 30-36 months.

The library’s estimated reopening will be sometime in 2028.

“This is a significant step forward for the community,” District 3 Councilman Justin Jones said in a statement. Central Library connects us through access to knowledge, resources, and programs. Thanks to Measure PL, we’ll see it continue to serve Pasadena, providing opportunities for growth and learning in a resilient, updated space.”

Library Director Tim McDonald said in a statement, “We are grateful to our residents who appreciate the value, history, and opportunity that Central Library represents. Central Library is not just a building; it’s a hub of learning that provides free access to resources for all members of the community. We are committed to reopening this vital institution and protecting it for the next 100 years and beyond.”

To learn more about the library retrofit and building repairs, visit cityofpasadena.net/Library/Central-Library-Earthquake-Retrofit.

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